Randolph Gibson, a retired Salem City police officer, and his wife Joesenia were sitting watching and enjoying the festivities. The two have been coming to the parade their entire lives.

“I was born and raised in Salem,” she said. “This is tradition. It’s important we give our children something to look forward to year after year.”

Karen Underwood, Kym Owens and Rosemary Poliski, all part of the Salem High School Booster Club, had a fundraising table set up with an array of cookies and treats for sale. The three have been coming to the parade for nearly 30 years and recalled when they were all in the parade as kids.

“I was in the Salem High School band and played saxophone in the parade,” Underwood said with a bashful smile.

“I was the banner girl,” Poliski said.

“And I was captain of of the flag squad,” Owens said with the three chuckling.

Inside Java Dog cafe on Broadway, owner Kim Patchell was busy serving the people of her community.

For Lisa and Jim Gillespie III, along with their son Jim Gillespie IV and his wife Lori, all of Pennsville, the parade has been a family tradition for about 30 years.

After the parade, people were given the opportunity to see Salem’s historic architecture and rich history during the Yuletide Tour.

At the John Wistar House, on Market Street, owners Bill and Mary Breneman showed visitors their house that was built in the late 18th century. Inside, soft green patina walls, beautiful wooden floors — a modern look inside the federal-style framework.

Bill Breneman, who bought the house 47 years ago, showed visitors black-and-white pictures of a completely boarded-up and condemned home that he turned into his beautiful house today.

A little farther down on Market Street, visitors entered the Goodwin Sisters’ House — built in the 19th century. Through the front door and down the hall to the dining room, homeowner Carl E. Nittinger played his harpsichord with visitors gathered around listening.

The home’s original inhabitant, Elizabeth Goodwin, was a staunch abolitionist and active in the Underground Railroad movement in the 1830’s.

And, a little farther down on Market Street still, was the late 18th century Richard Woodnutt House. Owner Chris Hofacker welcomed visitors as they entered. The home has three floors and 15 rooms, hardwood mahogany floors and a dark bluish-gray marble fireplace.

“Fabulous,” one visitor said as she grabbed a snack at the food-filled dining room table.

The tour was set to conclude at 6 p.m., followed by a tree-lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and a visit from Santa.